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www.LamontLeader.com
Vol. 9, No. 30, Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Rail crossing sparks call for immediate action
MICHELLE PINON PHOTOS
Lamont town councillors Doug Pewarchuk, Debra Dunsmore, Steve Sharun, Wayne Field, Gail Hrehorets and Mayor Bill Skinner are united in their efforts to get this rail crossing repaired, and are ready to pull out all the stops to get satisfactory results from CN Railway. Michelle Pinon Editor
Lamont town council is calling for immediate action from CN Rail to repair the rail crossing on the west side of town citing serious safety and transportation concerns. In a show of solidarity, council unanimously agreed to send a “strongly worded and scathing” letter to CN Rail and circulate that letter to local MLA Jacquie Fenske, MP Leon Benoit, and members of the transportation and rail safety board. Council also agreed that if the rail crossing was not fixed ASAP then it would be prepared to close the road. Back in the fall of 2013 CN replaced the planks at the crossing, but did not, in council’s estimation fix the problem (ie roughness, uneven
planks and heightened elevation) etc. Bob Hanewich of Select Engineering recently, (under contract with the town), discussed the concerns council and town residents have with the present condition of the CN crossing. Hanewich said the town was preparing the tender for this year’s street improvement program, including asphalt paving on either side of the CN crossing, but this would not resolve all of the concerns with the crossing. A representative with CN told Hanewich the installation of the planks was “temporary” and recommended the town consider having concrete or asphalt installed instead of the planks. The cost of which would be borne by the town. Hanewich was in turn
waiting for a response from the town as to whether it wanted to upgrade to concrete or stick with asphalt. During Hanewich’s discussion with a CN official, he said no schedule or timeline was established for the plank repair, but recommended the upgrade be completed before the roadway improvements began. “We’re looking at procuring a tender for that and main street,” stated Mayor Bill Skinner before discussion began on the issue. Chief Administrative Officer Sandi Maschmeyer informed council she was waiting for a quote, but estimated the work would be somewhere in the neighbourhood of $3,000. Coun. Debra Dunsmore said she called the town last week
because one of the boards was lifting and was concerned there could be an accident. “At what point do we close that crossing to the public?” questioned Dunsmore aloud. She also asked about liability since she felt the issue was one of safety. “What should we do as a council?” Coun. Doug Pewarchuk agreed that the crossing is a Safety and Transportation issue, and said he would be prepared to close the crossing. As for liability, Maschmeyer said CN would be responsible, but if there was a lawsuit, the town would be named as well; although she said it wouldn’t stand up in court. Cont’d on Page 8